Maughold

Saint Maughold (Macaille, Maccaldus, Machalus, Macull, Mawgan) is venerated as the patron of the Isle of Man, of which he was, by tradition, bishop. He died, according to the sources, around the year 488. The sources give his commemoration on 27 April and 28 December (the English-⁠language source: 25 April). His original name is uncertain: it was probably adapted from Bishop MacCaille of Croghan, County Offaly, who received Brigid of Kildare into the religious life.

According to tradition, Maughold was an Irish prince and the leader of a band of robbers, whom Saint Patrick converted to Christianity. The legend tells that, while Patrick was preaching in the land, Maughold wanted to make a fool of him. He wrapped a living man in a shroud, then called Patrick. Patrick came, laid his hand on the shroud and left. When Maughold and his friends opened the shroud, they saw that the man had died in the meantime. One of Maughold's friends, Connor, went to Patrick's camp and begged his pardon. Patrick returned and baptized all those gathered. Then he blessed the dead man, who came to life at once and was baptized as well. Patrick told Maughold that he ought to have helped those men to lead a good life, and blessed him to endure, for the remission of sins.

As penance for his earlier crimes, Patrick ordered him to entrust himself to the God of the Christians, leaving Ireland in a currach without oars. The boat carried him to the Isle of Man, where Patrick's disciples Romulus and Conindrus were already established. According to tradition, he landed on the northeast corner of the island, near Ramsey, at the foot of a headland now called Maughold Head, where he settled as a hermit in a cave on the mountain. He is said to have been chosen by the Manx to succeed Romulus and Conindrus as bishop. He is today remembered on the Isle of Man above all for his kindness toward the natives. Several places on the island, among them the parish of Maughold, Saint Maughold's Well and Saint Maughold's Chair, bear his name.